Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The practice of psychometric testing of cognitive functioning in South Africa is hampered by the paucity of normative data that adequately characterize our ethnically, linguistically, socioeconomically, and educationally diverse population. The general aim of this study was to ascertain whether cognitive tests developed in settings outside of the Western Cape urbanized area have valid application for clinical and research purposes in that area. Strategies used to achieve that aim included: 1) translation, adaptation, and subsequent administration of a compendium of tests in a sample of typically developing, coloured and white, 12- to 15-yearold, Afrikaans- and English-speaking adolescents; 2) evaluation of the relative impact of sociodemographic factors (age, sex, language, quality of education, and race) on test performance and the consequent derivation of appropriately stratified normative data; and 3) evaluation of the cross-cultural utility of the normative data by comparing data collected from the study sample to norms derived from other populations. Results indicated that sex and language of testing impacted minimally on cognitive functioning. In contrast, the pervasive and deleterious impact of disadvantaged quality of education on cognitive performance within typically developing adolescents was clearly demonstrated. For participants with advantaged quality of education, coloured race was associated with lower performance on measures of intelligence, semantic fluency, and one measure of attention. Furthermore, the results provided evidence of age-related increments in cognitive performance, particularly after the age of 12. For cognitive measures that were significantly affected by language, race, and quality of education, trends of a downward continuum of performance were demonstrated, from highest to lowest, as follows: 1) English-white-advantaged; 2) Afrikaans-white-advantaged; 3) Englishcoloured- advantaged; 4) English-coloured-disadvantaged; 5) Afrikaans-coloured-advantaged; and 6) Afrikaans-coloured-disadvantaged. Cross-cultural comparisons of norms showed that for some tests, norms derived from other populations were suitable for use in the study sample. For other tests, however, results showed that for certain subgroups, it was essential to use the stratified norms derived from the study in order to prevent misdiagnoses. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die psigometriese toetsing van kognitiewe funksionering word in Suid-Afrika gekniehalter deur 'n gebrek aan normatiewe data wat ons etnies, taalkundig, sosio-ekonomies en opvoedkundig diverse bevolking genoegsaam tipeer. Die algemene doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel of kognitiewe toetse wat in omgewings buite die Wes-Kaapse stedelike gebied ontwikkel is, ook vir kliniese en navorsingsdoeleindes binne hierdie stedelike gebied aangewend kan word. Hiervoor is onder meer die volgende strategieë gevolg: 1) 'n kompendium toetse is vertaal, aangepas en vervolgens afgeneem onder ’n toetsgroep tipies ontwikkelende, bruin en wit, 12- tot 15-jarige, Afrikaans- en Engelssprekende adolessente; 2) die relatiewe impak van sosiodemografiese faktore (ouderdom, geslag, taal, opvoedingsgehalte en ras) op toetsprestasie, en die gevolglike verkryging van toepaslik gestratifiseerde normatiewe data, is beoordeel en 3) die kruiskulturele nut van die normatiewe data is beoordeel deur die data wat van die toetsgroep in hierdie studie verkry is, te vergelyk met norme wat van ander populasies bekom is. Die resultate toon dat geslag en die taal waarin die toets afgeneem word 'n minimale uitwerking op kognitiewe funksionering het. Daarenteen is duidelik bewys dat swakker gehalte opvoeding ’n verreikende en skadelike uitwerking op die kognitiewe funksionering van tipies ontwikkelende adolessente het. By deelnemers met beter gehalte opvoeding blyk daar 'n verband te wees tussen die bruin rassegroep en laer prestasie wat betref maatstawwe van intelligensie en semantiese vaardigheid, asook een maatstaf van konsentrasie. Voorts lewer die resultate bewys van ouderdomsverwante toenames in kognitiewe prestasie, veral ná die ouderdom van 12. Wat betref kognitiewe maatstawwe wat beduidend deur taal, ras en opvoedingsgehalte beïnvloed is, is 'n afwaartse prestasiekontinuum opgemerk wat van hoog na laag soos volg daar uitsien: 1) Engels-wit-bevoordeel, 2) Afrikaans-wit-bevoordeel, 3) Engels-bruin-bevoordeel, 4) Engelsbruin- benadeel, 5) Afrikaans-bruin-bevoordeel en 6) Afrikaans-bruin-benadeel. Kruiskulturele normvergelykings toon dat, wat sommige toetse betref, die norme wat van ander populasies bekom is ook geskik was vir gebruik onder die toetsgroep in hierdie studie. Wat ander toetse betref, het die resultate egter getoon dat dit by bepaalde subgroepe noodsaaklik is om die gestratifiseerde norme wat uit die betrokke studie afgelei is te gebruik ten einde verkeerde diagnoses te voorkom.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Modes of information processing were examined for 91 subjects aged between 5 years 7 months and 6 years 3 months, using A.R. Luria's model of brain function as the theoretical basis of the study. A factor analysis of the results of six psychometric tests administered to all subjects indicated the presence of two distinct factors. These were hypothesised to represent the separate contributions of simultaneous and successive synthesis. Further separate factor analyses, of the six psychometric tests and tests of M-Space (derived from the work of R. Case) and tests of standard school assessment tasks (that were also administered to the subjects), were performed. The results indicated that although both modes of synthesis are available to children of this age, simultaneous synthesis is not a potent factor in school learning. A further exploratory study was carried out using the same 91 subjects. Subjects were given a series of verbal subtraction problems requiring understanding of mathematical relationships, and randomly assigned to two presentation groups. One group received pictorial information in addition to the verbal presentation. The other group received concrete materials. A multiple regression analysis was performed on the whole group using factor scores for simultaneous and successive syntheses (derived from the factor analysis of the six psychometric tests) as independent variables and criterion test scores for the verbal subtraction problems as the dependent variable. The analysis indicated that although neither aptitude for successive synthesis nor aptitude for simultaneous synthesis had predictive value for this kind of probelm solving, simultaneous synthesis was possibly the predominant mode of information processing. Further multiple regression analyses performed on each of the presentation groups indicated an interaction between successive synthesis and the modes of presentation of information. Due to the small numbers of subjects in each presentation group this result was inconclusive.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

The fundamental of surgical training is the traditional apprenticeship method introduced by William Halsted which has been used for the last 100 years. It is based on learning in the operating room (OR) where the resident is guided by an experienced surgeon and gradually and methodically exposed to surgery. The continuous development of surgical methods together with the growing awareness of medical errors and ethical considerations have made the Halsted method outdated and there is an obvious need to be able to learn the skills of surgery without risking patient safety. New methods such as laparoscopy and endoscopy demand specific skills and abilities that may not be met by everyone. At the same time, the physical limitations of these new methods have made it possible to construct virtual reality (VR) simulators to practise and learn the skills necessary. This study is about the construction and evaluation of a VR-simulator for the training of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). It also concerns the specific abilities needed to become a good surgeon. A simulator for training TURP was developed after a face validity study where 17 experienced urologists gave their opinion of the specific content necessary for the training of this procedure. After a content validity study by nine experienced urologists and application of necessary improvements, a group of 11 medical students and nine experienced urologists performed a construct validity test where the urologists showed significantly higher levels of both skill and effectiveness compared to the inexperienced students when performing a simulated TURP procedure. The students showed a positive learning curve, but did not reach the levels of the urologists. The results of the experienced urologists were used as the minimal criterion level when 24 urology residents practised the procedure. Training took place while on a course on benign enlargement of the prostate and its treatment options, with emphasis on the “gold standard” treatment – TURP. During the course they performed three guided and video-taped TURP-procedures each on selected patients. Between two of the procedures they performed criterion-based training in the simulator. This VR-to-OR study showed improvement in operative skills with the same patient outcome as in the normal clinical situation. It also showed that simulator training improved their skills even more. During their time on the course their personality traits (TCI) and cognitive abilities (Rey complex figure and recognition trial, tower of London, WAIS-III) were tested. The results showed that a better learning curve in the OR was associated with a better simulator learning curve and a good visuospatial memory. The associated personality traits were high levels of goal directedness, impulse control, responsibility, anticipation of harmful events and a balanced attachment style. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that it was technically possible to construct a useful simulator for the training of TURP (PelvicVision®) which may now be considered clinically validated for this purpose. Novice training and performance in the simulator improves the learning curve and predicts the resident’s performance in the OR. The results support the implementation of validated simulation technology in a criterion-based training curriculum for residents. Furthermore, the results showed preliminary data on personality traits and visuospatial abilities that are important for learning a complex surgical procedure.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:28:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Walquiria de Jesus Ribeiro.pdf: 1179237 bytes, checksum: 226dd5d8500031ff1bfbecf3cc0c440e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-18 / Pontif?cia Universidade Cat?lica de Campinas / The high ability/giftedness is a multidimensional phenomenon, whose evaluation has become a challenge nowadays, especially when it considers the lack of standardized and validated instruments in Brazil for this purpose. This study aimed to look for evidence of validity (construct and criterion) of a Battery for Assessment of High Ability. The sample was composed of students of the 2nd. year of elementary school to 3rd. year of high school, of both sexes, average age eleven (SD=2,02), divided into 470 students in regular education and 118 students participating in the Student Support Services Program with High Ability. The instrument used was composed of six subtests, four of reasoning (verbal, abstract, numerical and logical) one of figural creativity (Completing figures) and other verbal creativity (Creating Metaphors). Through exploratory factor analysis, we found three factors with eigenvalues of 3.737, 1.535 and 1.093, explaining 70.72% of the total variance, with Factor 1 representing measures Verbal Creativity; Factor 2, Intelligence; and Factor 3, Creativity figural. Correlations were found between the factors, more moderate, between Creativity and Intelligence Verbal (r=0.346). Significant effects of the variable group were noted in relation to evidence RV, RA, RN and RL, as well as factor in test preparation Figural Creativity and Quality characteristic Metaphorical Verbal Creativity Test, demonstrating discriminatory power of these measures in the identification of students with high skills. The results showed evidence of construct validity Battery for Assessment of High Ability in assessing Intelligence, Creativity Figural and Verbal and evidence of criterion validity for identifying high ability students from the subtests of intelligence, and partially through some measures of verbal and figural creativity. Other studies are needed to further investigate the psychometric criteria of the instrument under construction. / As altas habilidades/superdota??o ? um fen?meno multidimensional, cuja avalia??o tem se tornado um desafio nos dias atuais, ainda mais quando se constata a falta de instrumentos validados e normatizados no Brasil para tal fim. Este estudo teve como objetivo buscar evid?ncias de validade (construto e crit?rio) de uma Bateria para Avalia??o das Altas Habilidades. A amostra total foi composta por 588 alunos do 2?. ano do ensino fundamental ao 3?. ano do ensino m?dio, de ambos os sexos, m?dia de idade de 11,11 anos (DP=2,02), divididos em 470 alunos de sala de ensino regular e 118 alunos participantes de Programa de Atendimento ao Aluno com Altas Habilidades. O instrumento utilizado foi composto por seis subtestes, sendo quatro de racioc?nio (Racioc?nio verbal, abstrato, num?rico e l?gico), um de criatividade figural (Completando figuras) e outro de criatividade verbal (Cria??o de Met?foras). Atrav?s da an?lise fatorial explorat?ria, foram encontrados tr?s fatores com eigenvalues de 3,737; 1,535 e 1,093, explicando 70,72% da vari?ncia total, com o Fator 1 representando medidas de Criatividade Verbal, o Fator 2, de Intelig?ncia e o Fator 3, de Criatividade Figural. Correla??es foram encontradas entre os fatores, de forma mais moderada, entre Criatividade Verbal e Intelig?ncia (r=0,346). Efeitos significativos da vari?vel grupo foram notados em rela??o ?s provas RV, RA, RN e RL, bem como no fator Elabora??o no teste de Criatividade Figural e na caracter?stica Qualidade Metaf?rica do teste de Criatividade Verbal, demonstrando poder discriminat?rio dessas medidas na identifica??o dos alunos com altas habilidades. Os resultados apontaram evid?ncias de validade de construto da Bateria para Avalia??o das Altas Habilidades na avalia??o da Intelig?ncia, Criatividade Figural e Verbal e evid?ncias de validade de crit?rio para identifica??o de alunos com altas habilidades a partir dos subtestes de intelig?ncia, e, parcialmente, atrav?s de algumas medidas de criatividade figural e verbal. Outros estudos se fazem necess?rios para melhor investiga??o dos crit?rios psicom?tricos do instrumento em constru??o.

On admet aujourd'hui que les tests psychométriques traditionnels paraissent insuffisants pour détecter précocement des troubles cognitifs. Parallèlement, des cliniciens observent une perte de l'automaticité de la marche lors du vieillissement normal ou de pathologies neurodégénératives qui peut être directement imputée au déclin des fonctions exécutives (FE) et aggravé lors des situations de double-tâche (DT). Plusieurs auteurs ont montré que la présence prématurée d'une atteinte motrice pouvait prédire une évolution défavorable vers une démence de type Alzheimer. Dans ce contexte, il devient évident que l'évaluation de la marche doit faire l'objet d'une investigation spécifique lors d'un bilan cognitif. Les travaux de cette thèse s'articulent autour du concept de troubles cognitifs légers, des FE et de l'évaluation motrice lors de diverses situations de marche.L'objectif principal est de déterminer si l'évaluation de la marche spontanée et/ou en DT constitue un outil de détection précoce des troubles cognitifs. Un objectif secondaire est de préciser les FE qui affectent la performance motrice dans les situations de DT. L'originalité de ce travail de thèse réside dans le développement de nouveaux exercices de DT de navigation spatiale basés sur l'adaptation de tests neuropsychologiques (test de Corsi, de Stroop et Trail Making Test) à la marche. Finalement, nous avons aussi proposé un « stroop écologique » qui s'intéresse à la prise de décision de traverser de rue au feu piéton.Les résultats révèlent que les interférences provoquées par les situations de DT entrainent une modification spécifique du schéma de marche du sujet âgé ayant des troubles cognitifs même lorsqu'ils sont infracliniques. De plus, la résolution des tests de DT nécessite la participation commune de plusieurs FE.En conclusion, la batterie de test que nous proposons présente un intérêt potentiel dans la détection précoce des troubles cognitifs chez les sujets âgés, mais aussi dans la compréhension des mécanismes régulant les FE. / Traditional psychometric and/or neuropsychologic tests alone, are not powerful enough to detect cognitive disturbances in aging subjects and therefore new criteria and tests should be developed to get relevant screening tools. Since walking is not anymore considered as a pure automatic motor task but as a task depending both on cognitive and executive functions (EF), clinicians became interested in studying walking disturbances in the course of neurodegenerative pathology development. Walking tasks can be complex and could be assimilated as a double-task (DT) when individuals have to simultaneously proceed with cognitive and motor tasks. Several authors have suggested that disturbances in walking abilities could predict cognitive disorders (e.g. Alzheimer Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)). Therefore, walking abilities should specifically be evaluated during cognitive clinical investigation.The main goal of our work is to evaluate whether a walking task alone and/or walking tasks in the context of DT could be of interest in detecting early stages of cognitive disorders in the elderly. A secondary goal is to investigate what are the executive functions that can influence walking during a DT. The originality of our approach also stems from the new motor ability tests we have developed. They are based on validated neuropsychological tests (Corsi, Stroop and Trail Making Tests) and are adapted to the context of walking. Moreover, we also present an adaptation of the Stroop test in the situation of a pedestrian at the cross light intending to cross a street ("ecological Stroop test").Our results show that DT situations induce specific changes in walking scheme in the elderly with established cognitive disorders and also -and this is one of our most important result- with borderline patients. We also show that the DT we tested required the involment of several EF.In conclusion, the new tests we present could be of interest in detecting early stages of cognitive disorders in elderly subjects and moreover can give clues to the mechanisms involved in the regulation of executive functions.

Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Selection and selection procedures play a key role in the ability of organisations to compete successfully in the complex global and local environment. South Africa is experiencing a serious artisinal and technical skill shortage. Given the unemployment issues and the quest for people to fill the skill shortage gap it is important for organizations to find possible solutions to ensure that they stay competitive and effective in the labour market. Research suggests that at least 12 500 artisans need to be produced each year from 2006 to 2010 to meet the demand for skilled workers. To address above mentioned challenge organizations have to develop strategies to assist them to select individuals with the best chance to succeed in training. Unfortunately, the solution is not simple as organisations have a multitude of influences and pressures which affect their decisions regarding selection procedures. Selection of individuals is becoming an increasingly complex science as organisations have to select a capable and representative workforce. They must thus select candidates that are most likely to benefit from what is offered educationally, meet the requirements stipulated in South Africa's Labour legislation, and will perform most successfully in the specific trade. Bad practice can lead to costly litigation. The objectives of this mini-dissertation were to assess the empirical validity of the Technical Test Battery (TTB), as ability test and the Learning Potential Computerised Adaptive Test (LPCAT) as learning potential test as predictors of academic success of first year apprentice electrician students at a South African technical college serving a mining community. The study explored the current local employment issues that affect selection for training in the technical fields. The difference between the measurement of cognitive ability and learning potential were examined and the nature of the constructs of cognitive ability and that of learning potential were discussed. In the empirical study one of the objectives was to determine whether there was a relationship between the TTB and the LPCAT as two different predictors of the academic success of first yar apprentice electrician students. The difference in the empirical (predictive) validity of the two psychometric selection instruments, if only one of the tests as opposed to if both were used in combination, were examined. Another objective was to determine if there were any differences regarding the scores on the TTB and LPCAT of students from the designated group as opposed to that of students from non-designated groups. Finally this study explored whether the TTB and LPCAT were valid predictors to be used as selection instruments for apprentice electrician students in the South African context The research method consisted of a literature review and an empirical study. The empirical validity of the two predictor tests was validated in terms of the accuracy with which the selection instruments predicted the students' future performance. This research can be categorized as descriptive quantitative research. The TTB and LPCAT scores of a sample of 89 selected apprentice electricians were compared with the number of attempts they used to pass a phase test. Data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics. Pearsons Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, t-tests, ANOVAs as well as discriminant analysis were also used to reach the research objective. Statistically significant relationships were found between the predictor and criterion variables. The results confirm that the TTB and LPCAT are indeed empirical valid tests that can be used in the selection of apprentice electricians. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Selection and selection procedures play a key role in the ability of organisations to compete successfully in the complex global and local environment. South Africa is experiencing a serious artisinal and technical skill shortage. Given the unemployment issues and the quest for people to fill the skill shortage gap it is important for organizations to find possible solutions to ensure that they stay competitive and effective in the labour market. Research suggests that at least 12 500 artisans need to be produced each year from 2006 to 2010 to meet the demand for skilled workers. To address above mentioned challenge organizations have to develop strategies to assist them to select individuals with the best chance to succeed in training. Unfortunately, the solution is not simple as organisations have a multitude of influences and pressures which affect their decisions regarding selection procedures. Selection of individuals is becoming an increasingly complex science as organisations have to select a capable and representative workforce. They must thus select candidates that are most likely to benefit from what is offered educationally, meet the requirements stipulated in South Africa's Labour legislation, and will perform most successfully in the specific trade. Bad practice can lead to costly litigation. The objectives of this mini-dissertation were to assess the empirical validity of the Technical Test Battery (TTB), as ability test and the Learning Potential Computerised Adaptive Test (LPCAT) as learning potential test as predictors of academic success of first year apprentice electrician students at a South African technical college serving a mining community. The study explored the current local employment issues that affect selection for training in the technical fields. The difference between the measurement of cognitive ability and learning potential were examined and the nature of the constructs of cognitive ability and that of learning potential were discussed. In the empirical study one of the objectives was to determine whether there was a relationship between the TTB and the LPCAT as two different predictors of the academic success of first yar apprentice electrician students. The difference in the empirical (predictive) validity of the two psychometric selection instruments, if only one of the tests as opposed to if both were used in combination, were examined. Another objective was to determine if there were any differences regarding the scores on the TTB and LPCAT of students from the designated group as opposed to that of students from non-designated groups. Finally this study explored whether the TTB and LPCAT were valid predictors to be used as selection instruments for apprentice electrician students in the South African context The research method consisted of a literature review and an empirical study. The empirical validity of the two predictor tests was validated in terms of the accuracy with which the selection instruments predicted the students' future performance. This research can be categorized as descriptive quantitative research. The TTB and LPCAT scores of a sample of 89 selected apprentice electricians were compared with the number of attempts they used to pass a phase test. Data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics. Pearsons Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, t-tests, ANOVAs as well as discriminant analysis were also used to reach the research objective. Statistically significant relationships were found between the predictor and criterion variables. The results confirm that the TTB and LPCAT are indeed empirical valid tests that can be used in the selection of apprentice electricians. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.